Celebrating Super Citizens during Elderly Filipino Week 2024 at SM

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As part of its Elderly Filipino Week 2024 celebrations, SM Cares, together with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and the SM Super Grannies Club, hosted a series of fun, engaging, and meaningful activities to honor the senior citizen community, held last Oct. 1, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

During the morning activity, the attendees were treated to numerous interactive sessions, wellness programs, and exciting surprises tailored specifically for senior citizens, aimed at celebrating their invaluable contributions, fostering a sense of inclusion, and providing opportunities for them to enjoy and connect with others.

Among the highlights of the morning event were a mass at the Shrine of Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life; the Walk for Life parade; and a Zumba session; Filipino balladeer and 70’s Jukebox King Darius Razon also serenaded the attendees with his mesmerizing voice.

Another event aimed to support our Super Citizens was held at the SM North EDSA Skydome co-organized with Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP). The Talakayan Forum, which brought together senior citizens, local government representatives, and various stakeholders to address pressing concerns and share insights about senior welfare, inclusivity, and the role of the elderly in nation-building.

Designed as an open forum for important discussions that directly impact the senior citizen community, the Talakayan Forum aims to facilitate meaningful exchange, empower the elderly through dialogue, and ensure their voices are heard in community and national development.

The forum also highlighted the invaluable contributions of the elderly to community development and nation-building, while strengthening partnerships between local government units, senior citizen organizations, and the private sector in support of senior welfare.

These activities align with SM Cares' mission to promote inclusivity and provide platforms for important societal conversations, furthering its support for senior citizens as part of its Program on Persons with Disabilities, which promotes a barrier-free and disability inclusive environment for PWDs its malls.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, supporting initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

Sorpresang Ka-panda para kay Lolo at Lola: foodpanda pays tribute to senior Ka-panda riders

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Creating a sense of belonging among its employees and freelance partners has always been one of the core values of leading quick-commerce platform provider foodpanda.

foodpanda embraces the differences that make each employee and its freelance delivery partners unique and exceptional. No matter where they came from or what their age is, their valuable service and unparalleled dedication is recognized in the company.

In a society that tells us that our age defines our competence, our stamina, and our ability to learn new things, it’s remarkable how senior Ka-panda riders thrive and continue to provide for their families.

Recently, foodpanda held an initiative called Sorpresang Ka-panda para kay Lolo at Lola program wherein chosen senior Ka-panda partner riders from Cavite and Baguio were given Php 50,000 worth of items from foodpanda’s grocery arm pandamart and partner brands Cebuana Lhuillier, Generika, and TOP Vision Optical.

Joining the foodpanda Philippines Operations team in bringing smiles to the faces of our youngest (at heart) delivery partners were their fellow Ka-panda partner riders and foodpanda ambassadors Mama Lors and SPC Dancing Riders.

Joel M. Logdat, Nestor O. Pador, and Emelinda Galauran are the lucky Ka-panda partner riders from Cavite.

Emelinda is a 63-year-old female freelance rider who used to be a tricycle driver. As the breadwinner of her family, she decided to become a foodpanda delivery partner to support their needs.

She couldn’t contain her excitement and gratitude when foodpanda came to her home with surprises for her and the whole family. She says, “Nakakataba ng puso na kinikilala yung paghihirap namin sa pagiging freelancer. Masaya ako sa trabaho dahil mababait ang customers sa tulad kong may edad na. Lahat ng ginagawa ko ay para sa aking pamilya kaya naman nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa foodpanda sa mga oportunidad na ibinibigay sa amin.”

Meanwhile, William R. Paranes and Johnny R. Catchero from Baguio are also among the recipients of the initiative.

Johnny is a 64-year old Ka-panda partner rider from Baguio who lost his job when the pandemic hit. 

“Nagpapasalamat ako dahil sa foodpanda nagkaroon ako ng trabaho sa gitna ng pandemya. Alam kong senior citizen na ako pero hindi sila nagdalawang-isip na tanggapin ako. Mas naging maganda pa nga yung kalusugan ko dahil nakakalabas ako kumpara pag nandito lang sa bahay. May mga nagiging kaibigan din akong customers na magagalang sa mga senior citizen na katulad ko. Lagi silang nagbibigay ng tip bilang pasasalamat daw nila,” he happily shares.

foodpanda users can also create their own memorable experiences and stories just by using the app to order food and other daily essentials. When they order, they can also show appreciation to the delivery partners through the app’s tipping feature with a minimum amount of Php 20 via credit card or e-wallet, and the full amount goes to the rider.

With foodpanda’s Ka-panda senior citizens continuing to be delivery heroes for the company and its customers, it is truly creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

Learn more about Sorpresang Ka-panda para kay Lolo at Lola and  foodpanda's rider community on Facebook and TikTok.